Multifunctional Ac@ZIF-8/AgNPs nanoplatform with pH-responsive and ROS scavenging antibacterial properties promotes infected wound healing

Abstract

The development of non-antibiotic strategies for combating bacterial infections, particularly through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation accompanying inflammation, has attracted much attention. Despite Allicin (Ac) emerges as a promising antimicrobial agent with wide and remarkable bioactivity, it still displays quite limited ROS scavenging and anti-inflammation capacity due to uncontrolled and poor bioavailability. Herein, a multifunctional nanoplatform with pH-dependent and ROS-scavenging antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic properties is introduced to promote infected wound healing by integrating Ac into silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-loaded zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8), namely Ac@ZIF-8/AgNPs. Primarily, the nanoplatform is activated and controlled release in the infection microenvironment, with disrupting biofilms, scavenging ROS and antibacterial capacitys, outperforming conventional Ac. Moreover, in the mouse models induced by bacterial infection, Ac@ZIF-8/AgNPs can alleviate the inflammatory condition, scavenge ROS, facilitate the regeneration of collagen fiber and enhance vascular formation, collectively accelerating wound healing. Overall, this biocompatible nanoplatform is provided as a reliable approach to solve the long-standing problem of infected wound healing.